No matter what your goal is, when you’re about to undertake a tactical mission, you need some high-quality tactical pants. Although just looking at a picture of tactical pants may make you believe that these items of clothing are quite a basic accessory, when you take a closer look, you’ll see that they are really heavy duty and durable pants that are laden with pockets, designed to ensure that you have everything you need to hand. If you’re in need of some extra durable pants, you should read on to find out what the best tactical pants are on the market today. We’re going to provide some tactical pants reviews as well as offering you a comprehensive guide so that you can find out how to choose the best pair of pants for your needs. In no time, you’ll have your own pair of tactical pants, like protective armor, ready for your next mission.
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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5.11 Men’s Stryke Pant with Flex-Tac |
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TRU-SPEC Men’s Lightweight 24-7 Pant |
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5.11 Tactical Men’s TacLite Pro Pant |
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5.11 Men’s TacLite EMS Pants |
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Tru-Spec Men’s Tactical Uniform Pants |
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Best Tactical Pant Reviews
1. 5.11 Men’s Stryke Pant with Flex-Tac
These Stryke Pants are made from 5.11’s own two-way weave fabric. This features a polyester-cotton mix that creates a ripstop fabric. These are lightweight and durable pants that will remain in great condition even in harsh conditions.
To protect these pants against stains and spills when you’re out on the field, they are coated with Teflon. The waistband is self-adjusting and comfortable whilst the fully gusseted crotch and the articulated knees ensure that you have full flexibility when moving around.
With 12 pockets, you’ll never be short on storage places to carry your possessions and you’ll find double-deep cargo pockets for when you want to carry larger items.
Triple stitching ensures that these pants are reinforced, especially at the main seams and the stress lines. These are great tactical pants that are guaranteed to last you for a long time, even when you’re out in rough environments.
2. TRU-SPEC Men’s Lightweight 24-7 Pant
These Tru-Spec lightweight pants are a great choice when you’re looking for high-quality tactical pants that will live up to your expectations. The 6.5-ounce polyester has been coated with Teflon so that it is stain resistant and in addition to this, the material is also rip-resistant, colorfast, and the wind-resistant to keep you warm and is definitely tough enough to face even the toughest of missions.
Expandable back pockets are built into these pants and they have hook and loop closures so that you can secure your cargo. The pants are easy to look after as the material is quick-drying and they are also wrinkle resistant.
There are plenty of products for your tools in these pants. Two knife or large accessory pockets have been designed to ensure that your legs will be protected whilst carrying these potentially dangerous weapons. The stiff fusing inner lining ensures that you can be protected against injury whilst you are carrying knives. You can also make use of 2 cargo pockets on the thighs.
3. 5.11 Tactical Men’s TacLite Pro Pant
These TacLite Pro Pants are made from a TacLite and Polyester mix along with a cotton no-tear fabric. This makes these pants a lightweight option, which is also durable enough to stand up to the mission that you have planned. If you choose these pants, you can be sure to be comfortable whilst enjoy a high performance from these pants, even in the worst conditions.
In order to protect your pants from stains, spills, and soil damage when you’re doing the toughest jobs, these pants have had a special Teflon fabric treatment. Even when you’re working hard, why shouldn’t you look your best?
These pants have a gusseted crotch and a double reinforced seat to ensure that they will give you the maximum performance. No matter whether you’re running or crawling, you can be sure that they will not wear through thanks to the reinforced knees.
These pants also have extra pockets, zippers, and a hip-mounted D-ring for your keys. These pants will help you keep your possessions close during your mission.
4. 5.11 Men’s TacLite EMS Pants
These TacLite EMS tactical pants are available in two different kinds of material. You can choose from heavyweight poly-cotton twill or a more lightweight tactile ripstop fabric. Both options are highly durable and long-wearing and these pants have been treated with Teflon too. Teflon coated pants are the best choice for those who want their pants to look like new for longer. The Teflon coating will keep liquids and dirt off the pants to stop stains from developing.
To let you carry all your possessions with you when you’re on the move, there are large, full-sized cargo pockets all around these pants. They are split with internal dividers, allowing you to conveniently organize your tools and you can take everything with you that you need. The EMS specific pockets and additional pockets to the calf are an added bonus that makes these pants as useful as possible.
5. Tru-Spec Men’s Tactical Uniform Pants
When you have to find a good pair of tactical pants for any mission, you can always look to Tru-Spec to provide you with the best gear. You will be able to rely on these 24/7 tactical pants to get through the day without wearing or letting you down. The ripstop cotton fabric provides you with lightweight protection. On each side of the pants, there are two large cargo pockets. These pockets can be fastened closed with hook and loop fasteners.
The camo print color is just what you need when you’re on a tactical mission to look the part. The reinforced knees, seat, and crotch will ensure that you can have complete reassurance that the pants won’t split whilst you are moving around. You can also take advantage of the pockets that are built into the knees to allow you to use the built-in kneepads that come with these pants.
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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Vertx Men’s Phantom LT Tactical Pants |
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LA Police Pants with Elastic Waistband |
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Vertx Men’s Original Tactical Pants |
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Propper Men’s Lightweight Tactical Pant |
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BLACKHAWK! Men’s Lightweight Tactical Pants |
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6. Vertx Men’s Phantom LT Tactical Pants
These Vertx Men’s tactical pants are a great choice if you want a strong pair of pants that will last you through even the toughest of missions. The mini-ripstop pattern weave provides the material with durability and means that the material will not tear if it is caught.
To provide you with complete flexibility, these pants have a side stretch waistband so that it will expand with the movement of your body and at the back of the pants it has a higher fit. The higher fit ensures that the pants stay up, even when you are crouching down.
To allow you as much movement as possible whilst you are wearing these pants, they have articulated knees. A large back pocket flap closes over the main large pocket so that nothing falls out accidentally and so that things can’t be stolen from the pocket. The waterproof material protection keeps moisture away from the pants so that they don’t stain.
7. LA Police Pants with Elastic Waistband
Designed for Police operations, these tactical pants are reliable and hardwearing. The lightweight material is made from a cotton and polyester mix that provides ripstop weave fabric.
The zipper closure on these pants allows you to put them on and take them off with ease. There are also D-rings at the front of these pants. This allows you to attach your keys or any tools that you want to keep close by near to your waistband so they can be kept with ease.
You should be aware that these pants are only the specified size when the waistband is stretched to the maximum width. The elastic waistband is an extra feature to offer you comfort whilst wearing these pants.
If you want to take all your gear and handheld weapons with you, these pants have plenty of cargo pockets. The articulating knees ensure that you can have maximum movement whilst the gusseted crotch ensures that these pants are completely reinforced.
8. Vertx Men’s Original Tactical Pants
These Vertex Pants are great tactical pants if you want a pair of pants that are discreet rather than having bulky pockets all around. The pockets on these pants are low profile with insert cargo pockets. This reduces the tactical look of the pants so that it doesn’t look as obvious that you’re carrying tools whilst you can still get full capacity from the pockets.
The side stretch waistband ensures that you will be as comfortable as possible whilst move around in these pants. You can also ensure that you get a proper fit whilst wearing them thanks to a high rise back.
You won’t lose any valuables whilst carrying them in these pants, as there is a concealed pocket on the right-hand side that is zippered to stop anything from falling out of it. To the back of the pants is a back pocket that prevents theft of items and stops anything from falling off.
9. Propper Men’s Lightweight Tactical Pant
These Propper Men’s Lightweight Tactical Pants are made from a lightweight yet hard-wearing polycotton material. They are fade-resistant, will not shrink and won’t wrinkle. The action stretch waistband ensures that you will be comfortable whilst you are wearing these tactical pants. To keel stains and liquids from damaging the fabric on these pants, they are protected with a special DuPont Teflon fabric coating. This ensures that your pants look great at all times.
A D-ring on the hip ensures that you can keep your keys and smaller tools close by for safekeeping. 9 pockets are built into the design of these pants to ensure that you can keep all your essential tools close to hand at all times. The pocket stitching is so strong that you can be confident that you will not lose anything, even on the toughest of exercises. These pants look great and can really withstand some tough treatment.
10. BLACKHAWK! Men’s Lightweight Tactical Pants
If you’re looking for some high quality lightweight tactical pants, these Blackhawk pants might be what you’re looking for. They are ready for you to keep your valuables safe, thanks to a zippered hidden pocket. This hidden pocket is large enough to hide your valuables so that they can fall out or be taken from you. The pocket is hidden behind the right-hand pocket.
The durable polyester and cotton rip-stop mix material ensure that these pants are durable in the toughest of environments whilst being lightweight and comfortable to wear.
The Teflon coating on these pants ensures that they are water repellent. If you spill any liquids on these pants or if they get dirty water or soil on them, the material will be protected and will not stain. Double layering on the weakest points of these pants means that these pants will be highly protective and hard-wearing.
Different Styles & Types Of Tactical Pants
When you’re shopping around for tactical pants, you will notice that there are so many different kinds for you to choose from that you may be struggling to work out which is the best for you. These are just a small selection of the kinds of tactical pants that you can find and their differences.
1. Military Cargo Pants
Whether you are actually in the military or if you simply have a particularly tough survival mission ahead of you, military cargo pants are some of the best quality tactical pants around. They are generally made to be highly robust and durable with plenty of pockets to allow you to store all your most essential gear.
You can be sure to get complete protection from this style of pants as they are made from a thick canvas material that will protect your legs from shrubbery, bugs, and even weather.
There are different formats of pocket layout for military pants that vary from model to model so you should check out the particular style of the pants that you’re looking at to ensure that they are suitable for your needs. D-Rings allow you to attach smaller items to your belt line, including keys and pocket utility knives for safe-keeping and for easy access. These pants are usually available in a variety of colors so that you can get the best ones for your needs.
2. Combat and Police Pants
Combat pants are a little more lightweight than military pants as they are designed to be more flexible and to allow you to have as much movement as possible. You can usually find waterproof material in combat pants so that you can keep your skin dry whilst you’re on a mission. You will also find that the lighter the weight of tactical pants is, the quicker it dries. So even if you do get wet whilst you are outdoors, your combat pants will dry quickly.
These kinds of pants tend to have a lot of pockets, including zippered pockets and hidden pockets to ensure that your gear doesn’t fall out of them. You can also get low profile pockets to make the pants look less tactical.
As combat pants are suitable for the police and similar other lines of work, these are usually available in darker and solid colors. This ensures that you can choose a smart color that fits in well with your uniform requirements.
3. Tactical Shorts
For the warmer weather and when lower leg protection isn’t as much of an issue, tactical shorts are an alternative option to full-length pants. These are useful shorts that still offer you storage pockets. Material options are also available so you can still choose flexible and lightweight material so suit your mission. You can usually choose from a variety of colors with any tactical shorts too.
As they are designed for warmer climates, tactical shorts are designed to keep you cool and it’s not only the fact that they are half-length that allows you to stay cool. The material that they are made from is lightweight and breathable. You should be aware though that in order to keep shorts light, they are not usually made from quick-drying material so if you do get caught in damp weather, it will take a little longer for these pants to dry.
Tactical Pants Buying Guide
1. What Are Tactical Pants?
Tactical pants were originally designed for woodcutters who needed some practical and safe clothing to wear whilst they were on the job. It didn’t take long for the military and the police to adopt these pants, whilst making some subtle changes, as they were tough and great for combat use.
If you’re looking for a high-quality pair of tactical pants, you’ll notice that these pants are hugely advantageous in comparison to standard clothing, offering you more flexibility with your movement and even a better fit. Another great thing about tactical pants is that they are designed to have plenty of pockets. These pockets are arranged strategically on the pants so that you can access your gear quickly and when you need to. The seams are often triple stitched so that you can be sure that the pants will last and the fabric is also lightweight and durable. Tactical pants don’t tear easily under stress.
For additional comfort, some tactical pants have inserts built-in so that you can fit knee pads. Drawstrings at the ankles allow you to stuff your trousers into your tactical boots with ease. This will keep out the dust, insects and other things from your environment. Tucking your trousers into your boots can also keep you warm. You should ensure that you choose the best features when you’re choosing the right pair of tactical pants for your mission.
2. Weather And Water Resistance
When you’re looking for tactical pants, you should keep in mind that you may be going out in bad weather conditions. This is why it is so important to think carefully about the way that the pants will protect you from damp weather and even storms. This makes the fabric of the pants very important and especially the way that it is treated.
For damp weather condition, it is usually enough that the pants are made from a water-resistant material. In addition, many of the better pairs of tactical pants are also coated with Teflon. Teflon treated fabric further repels water by causing it to bead on the surface of the fabric so that it can simply roll back off again. Although Teflon doesn’t offer complete protection against very wet conditions, it will keep your pants looking good and will keep the rain away. If you will be wading in the water, however, you should opt for a fast-drying material.
3. Durability
When you’re looking for tactical pants, another thing that you should consider is how durable the material is. You can choose from cotton, canvas woven fabrics, and synthetics. Some people prefer the use of cotton fabrics as it makes the pants more hardwearing and comfortable. It’s also good at retaining moisture though and can be quite heavy so it is not as popular as other fabrics. Usually, cotton blends are better because they keep the moisture out of the fabric and make the pants better at drying. This also makes them lightweight.
Some cotton materials can be treated with silicone too, which offers good weatherproofing. For missions that are very demanding, you should really think about choosing a canvas woven material. Canvas is the same material that sails are made from, so that is good proof that it can withstand a considerable amount of use. One of the main setbacks of the canvas, however, is that it is a heavier fabric and can restrict your movement considerably in comparison to lighter materials.
Lycra and spandex are two forms of synthetic fabrics, and these are very lightweight materials. They won’t offer you much protection against rough terrains without being blended with another material, but they are good at keeping moisture away.
If you are planning on being out on a tactical mission for a long amount of time, having a pair of tactical pants that are durable enough to last. You may need to invest a little more money in order to ensure that your pants are more likely to last for long.
4. Flexibility
When it comes to being able to freely move around when you are on a mission, you need tactical pants that are made from flexible and strong fabric. The best kinds have some stretch to them with expanding features such as pleats and gussets to the crotch and knees.
5. Storage And Access
When you are in a survival situation, it’s imperative that you are able to grab your tools and weapons quickly. Not only your self-defense weapon but also a flashlight for seeing in the dark, a knife or a multi-tool. The best kinds of pants for these scenarios are the ones that have deep pockets. Look out for hook and loop or zipper fastenings so that you can be sure that your gear won’t fall out of your pockets whilst you’re on the move. You can also consider to combine it with a tactical vest.
Whilst some tactical pants have plenty of external storage pockets, there are some that also have inlaid or low profile pockets for more discreet storage. You should ensure that you have enough storage pockets to stow away all your items and choose pants that have the best pocket shape to keep your items stable and easy to grab.
6. Additional Features
In addition to the above features, there are a few other things to consider. These are the durability, weight and the color of the pants.
- Portability
When you are on intensive missions, it is vital that your tactical pants are lightweight and easy to store away. This is especially important if you will be carrying a pair of tactical pants for spares or to change into ready for your mission.
- Color
Many tactical pants come in a variety of colors these days. You should choose your color depending on the environment that you are going to be in. Some people prefer to choose a camo color if they are going to be in a wilderness environment. For work-related missions, such as police operations, you should choose a more neutral solid color that matches your uniform specification.
Best Tactical Pants Comparision Chart
PRODUCT | PRICE | MADE OF |
---|---|---|
5.11 TACTICAL MEN’S TACLITE PRO PANT | $$ | Polyester/Cotton |
PROPPER MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT TACTICAL PANT | $ | Polyester/Cotton |
BLACKHAWK! MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT TACTICAL PANTS | $$ | Other Fibers |
5.11 MEN’S TACLITE EMS PANTS | $$$ | Polyester/Cotton |
TRU-SPEC MEN’S TACTICAL UNIFORM PANTS | $$ | Polyester/Cotton |
VERTX MEN’S PHANTOM LT TACTICAL PANTS | $$$ | Polyester/Cotton |
LA POLICE PANTS WITH ELASTIC WAISTBAND | $ | Polyester/Cotton |
5.11 MEN’S STRYKE PANT WITH FLEX-TAC | $$$ | Polyester/Cotton |
VERTX MEN’S ORIGINAL TACTICAL PANTS | $ | 98% COTTON/ 2% LYCRA |
TRU-SPEC MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT 24-7 PANT | $$ | Polyester/Cotton |
Bottom Line
It’s clear from this useful guide that tactical pants are a must for any tough mission. When you need protection for your body from your clothes and a place to store all your most important tools, you need to choose the best tactical pants. These useful reviews of the top tactical pants give you an insight into what’s on the market and you will be able to see that their design and materials differ slightly to give different advantages and to suit different purposes.
If you’re struggling to decide which are the best tactical pants for your mission, our useful buying guide should have helped you to consider some of the most important points that you need to think about when looking for tactical pants. Remember that it is often better to use as large a budget as you can afford when buying tactical pants so that you can invest a little more money in order to get the best pants that will last the longest.
Whatever tactical outfit you are searching for: tactical vest, waders, tactical backpacks or waterproof backpacks, you’d better keep looking for a good investment, and sacrifice neither durability nor comfort in this order. You should try to choose the gloves that match the objectives of your mission the best so that you have the right tactical outfit.